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Modernisation: Introduction, Meaning, Concept and Other Details

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Introduction:

Concept of Modern, Modernity and Modernisation are tremendously notorious, mostly because of their ambiguity and vagueness. Each one lacks any precise meaning. Modernisation has assumed a lot of significance particularly after the end of the Second World War, in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Industrial Revolution in England and to some extent, French Revolution in France brought Modernization to limelight. Volumes of literature written about these three concepts have contained many contradictory observations and conclusions. As a result, no single theory of modernisation has been justifiably presented to explain the process of modernisation for social change. The process of modernisation dates back to the age of Renaissance and formation in all walks of life-like literature, science religion etc.

Meaning of Modernity:

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In one sense, modernisation and modernity convey a classification of the history of mankind, into Ancient, Medieval and Modern. Here modernity refers to the ‘stretch of time’, and each aforesaid phase, carries its specialty. But, modernity in relation to time is also confusing, because, it may mean one thing in India and another thing else-where on the earth.

Modernity is distinguished from traditionalism and a modern society also differs from a traditional one. It is equally difficult to define precisely what ‘Tradition’ is yet, both ‘tradition’ and ‘modernity’ are systems of ideas, values and Institutions, which are different from one another. But, there is no society, which is either ‘purely traditional’ or ‘purely modern’. Both cannot be rigidly compartmentalized.

The term ‘Tradition’ has been defined by Dr. Yogendra Singh as “a cumulative heritage of a society, which permits though all levels of social organisation, such as the value system, the social structure and personality structure.” Thus, tradition is a social and cultural heritage and a traditional society, therefore, contains three basic elements of tradition like value system, social structure and structure of personality, which are more or less permanent.

The Concept of Modernity has following distinctive characteristics such as:

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(i) Intellectual characteristics are like emphasis on science and technology, reason and rationality, belief in progress and human development, control over environment and avoidance of superstition and orthodoxy.

(iv) Social Characteristics include decline of a traditional social order, decline of Joint family system, alienated kinship ties

(v) In relation of education, it involves literacy, emphasis on knowledge, trained skill and the like.

(vi) Economic Characteristics include changing over to commercial agriculture, use of machines and advanced technology in agriculture, growing industrialisation and urbanisation, improvement in commerce, industry and growth of Market etc. Thus, modernity implies a bunch of new socio-economic, politico-religious and intellectual system, totally separated from the traditional one.

Dr. Lerner, the author of “The Passing of the Traditional society-modernizing of Middle East.” has also identified five other features of modernity, such as:

(1) Urbanization

(2) Literacy

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(3) Mass-Media and mass communication

(4) growing political awareness,

(5) Skilled man-power to support economic development and technological advancement for faster industrialization.

Thus, modernisation is a process which involves changes in all areas of human thought and activity. It aims at socio-economic and political transformation to achieve progress on development.

Modernisation—A misconceived notion:

The term ‘modernization’ despite its recent popularity is fully misconceived and needs clarification. Firstly, modernisation is not opposed to traditionalism. A modern society is not fully alienated from traditionalism nor can a traditional society exist without modern elements. For example Japan is modernized without alienating traditional elements.

Secondly, scholars in Economics, Sociology, Political Science, Psychology have studied the concept of modernization in their own way causing more confusion and disparity in approach. Thirdly, industrialisation and urbanisation are not essential precondition to modernisation. Japan is highly industrialized without being modern. Punjab is urbanised without industrialisation. In several African countries, industrialisation followed modernisation.

However it was just the opposite in Europe leads to modernisation after industrial revolution. Fourthly modernisation and westernization are not synonymous, although both are often used interchangeably. Westernization refers to those changes brought about in non-western countries, through adoption of western cultural values and elements with which these countries had prolonged contact and interaction. Process of imitation of western culture and values by the non-western countries is called in simple words ‘Westernization’.

In India, during the British rule. Western culture made a forceful entry and westernized Indian society and Culture. Thus, a modern man in India is misconceived to be a man with western habits and with an attitude of imitation of all that came from the west. Often these two terms are interchangeably used in India, simply because most of us do not know what western culture-stands for and most of us also fail to understand what the term modern man should mean for us.

Thus, modernization has a broaden connotation and westernization is simply a part of this larger process of social change. Modernisation is rather a process of ‘rationalization’ with a scientific temper and it involves the total population. It brings about changes in their thought-process in beliefs and faith and in socio- cultural structure and ultimately modernizes the role-perception of the individuals. An Indian in such a process of misconceived modernisation becomes an ‘alienated India’ causing Cultural rootlessness and cultural alienation.

Tradition-Modernity inter-relativity:

The only truth is that both tradition and modernity are interrelated. No society as, states earlier is either ‘wholly traditional’ or ‘wholly modern’. By comparison either a society is more traditional or more modern. For instance, Indian society is more traditional compared to the American society. Neither of them is absolutely traditional and absolutely modern. There is always a bridging-gap between the two. Again the process of change from traditionalism to modernism is either fast or slow.

What is true of the contemporary society is that the rapid switch over from traditional to modernity is faster because of rapid industrialization, economic development and urbanization. But there are certain time-tested socio-cultural traditional rites associated with marriage and death, which have denied any faster modernization in both western and non-western countries.

Modernisation as a value-free term involves rational and scientific transformation of the socio-cultural values of institution. On the contrary westernization is a value loaded term with a restricted connotation of imitation of western culture and values.

As M.N. Srinivas justifiably argues the term westernization is ethically neutral whereas modernisation carries ethical value and it accepts only what is good or right. Further, modernization like westernization does not destroy the ‘cultural identity’ of the non-western countries.

In Indian society today, there exists a sort of “misconceived modernity” or mis-match of westernization & modernisation. In metros and big cities life has become notoriously westernized, western culture is aped mostly by the youth in their life style like food habits, dress, music, dance. Night club family life and the like.

A few misconceptions of modernity in India today include the following such as:

All these do not connote modernity, rather they constitute a blind apeing of English or western culture in India.

The Concept of Modernization defined:

The word modern or modernisation is the derivative of the Latin term ‘MODO’, which means ‘just now’ ‘or’ ‘the latest’. The Oxford English Dictionary defines the term ‘modern’ as ‘something of the recent times or something new or latest, not concerned with classic. Thus, the literal meaning of the term refers to anything which is New or Latest in life style, dress, art or thinking.

Modernity and Progressivism in social change may also look alike. It may mean the society constantly moving ahead in the direction of ‘Progress’ or improvement at all times. Modernisation as a historical process with continuity also involves industrialization, urbanization, rationalization, bureaucratization, democratization, secularization, sanskritisation, Tribalisation and the like rationality, reasoning with scientific temper and outlook.

The term modernisation has been severally defined by several eminent scholars and one of them is the Indian sociologist Prof. Y. Singh who writes, “Modernisation symbolizes a rational attitude towards issues and their evaluation from universalistic, not particularistic point of view. To him, Modernisation involves diffusing scientific and technological know-how.

C.E. Black in his book ‘Dynamics of Modernisation suggests modernisation as a process by which historically evolved institution are adopted to the rapidly changing function that reflect the unprecedented increase in man’s knowledge, permitting control over his environment in the recent centuries that accompanies the scientific revolution.

Thus, modernisation emphasizes upon the diffusion of new standards like scientific outlook, rationalism based on reasoning, universalism, humanism, individualism, secularization, democratic liberalism and the like. Application of scientific know-how to meet human requirements is also another aspect of modernisation. From Psychological point of view, modernisation brings about changes in individuals motivation temperament attitude personality and role-perception.

Dimensions of modernization:

Modernisation is multi-dimensional in character. One may categories it into social, psychological, intellectual, demographic, cultural, economic and political dimensions. Modernisation at Political level is also known as Political modernisation or Political development. Political modernisation has its own distinct features. It rejects the traditional authorities like Feudal lords, religious heads & god-heads and Traditional community leaders.

Rather it implies the emergence of a single secular rational authority in a political system to which people render habitual obedience. Political modernisation, therefore involves increasing people’s participation in the political process through Business groups, interest groups, political parties, N.G.Os and voluntary organizations.

Thus, political modernisation includes:

(a) Increase in the capacity of the political system to find and utilize the resources of the society.

(b) Increase in the need for coordinated social action to solve all kinds of problems that a political system faces and

(e) Strong and stable governmental authority to implement policies & programmes directed for modernisation and to compel & force people to accept such policies.

(f) Seminars and workshops to be held to highlight the influence & impact of modernisation.

How to achieve Modernisation?

Modernisation can be achieved by two ways:

(1) by modifying the tradition and

(2) by criticizing the odd aspect of tradition.

Both these methods are regulated by two guidelines —such as:

(a) unity and integrity of the Nation are not endangered

(b) Benefits of the modernisation Process are available to the society and community as a whole and in no case, should one alienate himself from the society and tradition. It should be strictly ensured that all contemporary changes like ragging in educational institution, eve-teasing, divorce, living together without being married are not modern.

Whom should we call modernizers?

The elaborate list of modernizers includes the following.

(a) Elites:

Elite constitute those who are more equal than others. They may also be called First among the Equals. Elites include political elites, religious elites, social elites. Business elites, academic elites and the like. These Elites contribute new ideas to replace the old ones. Circulation of Elites make changes in the ‘elite-structure’. Make their political elites contribute to political modernisation.

1. Intellectuals:

Are the ‘think-tanks’ or store house of new ideas, new experiences and new strategies of change from tradition to modernity.

2. Political Leadership:

In India, eminent Nationalist and Political leaders have also played role as modernizers with their belief and faith on certain ideologies and political techniques.

Social Reformers with their modern outlook expedite modernisation process through various socio-religious reforms. Abolition of child marriage system, introduction of Widow-remarriage, abolition of ‘Sati’ system is a few such instances. Eminent socio- religious reformers like Raja Rammohan Roy, Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar, Swami Vivekanand, Swami Dayanand Saraswati have fought for casting off orthodoxy and socio-religious superstition and creating foundational base for change over to modernity.

Law Makers:

Law makers who actively participate in the law-making process in the legislative have a constructive role to play as modernisers. They deliberate and contribute new ideas for the over all socio-economic development of the people.

Electorate:

India exhibits progressive democratization during the last half-a-century. Right to vote has been given to all adult citizens of 18 years of age to elect their representatives through periodic elections. These voters who have this sacred duty and obligation to vote are required to be wise, intelligent and vigilant to ensure the democratization process moving and to adhere to democratic values and norms thus making political modernisation a success.

Conclusion:

Modernisation involves transformation towards progress democratic, socio-economic and scientific ideals. Modernisation as a process of change requires both structural and functional changes. Mutual tolerance, respect for other’s views and equality among all are the essential requisites of modernity.

Modernisation does not mean elimination of all traditional and ancient values. Those ancient values are to be preserved and protected along with induction and modernity has to be intelligently solved to accommodate overall progress. Conflicts and problems are bound to arise, but a dynamic leadership with a progressive and modern outlook is required to solve these problems in time. Ultimately, the choice of proper leadership is the sole responsibility of the conscious voters.

India possesses vast cultural heritage and it is the overall responsibility of the people of India at large and the popularity elected government. No Nation, not even India, can be modernized without protection and preservation of its cultural heritage. No tradition bound society is a backward society because a few traditional elements have universal appreciation. India’s policy of non-alignment is founded upon the Ancient India’s traditions of Non-Violence, peace and Fraternity.

Modernisation in India is a continuous process of transformation from tradition to modernity and these has to be a synthesis of tradition and modernity in India. Not all, but a few traditions in India are partial to modernity and those traditions have to be preserved and protected. Three views describe the tradition-modernity relationship one of them is the optimistic outlook that supports faster westernization. The other view, obscurantism believes in tradition and orthodoxy which are considered to be eternal and hence not to be spared.

The third and the most balanced view between the two, is called Progressivism’ which believes in progress towards modernity without sacrificing the least traditional elements. Only these orthodoxy elements which prevent progressivism have to be abandoned to achieve modernity and socio-economic development quicker and in a planned manner.

In India, Progressivism implies well-planned-Socio-Economic changes for the community-welfare.

It is debatable to identify which traditional and orthodox elements in India have to be cast off and which have to be retained. Yet, the agreed view favoures a synthesis of tradition and modernity.

Lastly it is relevant and wise to cast off misconception of modernity in India and to ban blindly aping the misconceived modernity and westernization. But, that has to be done through scientific outlook, tolerance and respect for others point of view and without any coercive imposition.

Hence in India, Modernity has to be belonged to coexist with rationality based tradition and cultural heritage. Modernity and Traditions are not poles apart and there has to be an agreed and well-accepted synthesis between the two in India. India has to be modernized and not westernized at the cost of the cultural past and tradition.